Community Foundation of Southern Wisconsin
/OVERVIEW: The Community Foundation of Southern Wisconsin supports education, community development, economic development, health, human services, arts and culture, the environment, animal welfare and public safety in a nine-county region of Southern Wisconsin.
FUNDING AREAS: Education, community development, economic development, health, human services, arts and culture, the environment, animal welfare, public safety
IP TAKE: With around 35 competitive grant programs administered by CFSW, there are many ways to get involved with this funder throughout the year based on nonprofit location and focus area.
PROFILE: Established in 1991, the Community Foundation of Southern Wisconsin (CFSW) is a community foundation with offices in the Wisconsin cities of Janesville, Monroe and Platteville. CFSW administers over 700 funds and awards grants and scholarships in the region. The foundation aims to "match personal philanthropy with community need.” CFSW funds local efforts for education, health, human services, historical preservation, arts and the environment.
The Community Foundation of Southern Wisconsin typically awards around $1.6 million in grants per year. CFSW makes advised and non-competitive grants at the recommendations of donors. But it also has approximately 35 competitive grant programs, most of which accept applications once per year. CFSW requests proposals from nonprofits in broad and specific funding areas. Staff and board members review these proposals and award grants about six weeks to two months following grant deadlines. A list of available grants is updated and published on the funder’s website. Many local towns have their own community funds that are part of this process, as well as educational funds and niche funds for agriculture and women’s services.
Grants range between about $5,000 and $50,000. Learn more about this funder’s local giving by examining its recent tax records. Grantmaking focuses on the following nine Southern Wisconsin counties: Crawford, Grant, Green, Iowa, Lafayette, Rock, Sauk, Vernon and Walworth. Past local grantees include the Fowler Memorial Free Dental Clinic, God is Faithful Temporary Shelter and Green County Historical Society.
This foundation accepts unsolicited grant applications from nonprofits for many of its grant programs. Each program has its own unique set of guidelines and deadlines. CFSW uses an online system to accept all requests. Direct general questions to the staff at 800-995-2379 or via online form.
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